Growing up, I was always the naturally 'skinny' girl. So much so that it earned me names like 'bean pole, string bean, stick girl, toothpick", among other hurtful tags.

I felt so self consience that I often stayed home instead of joining in with my few real friends when they went to the local pool, school dances, football games or the like. I usually PADDED my clothes...yup you heard right...I would layer on sweat pants under my jeans, 3 or 4 shirts under a sweater, ...

Growing up, I was always the naturally 'skinny' girl. So much so that it earned me names like 'bean pole, string bean, stick girl, toothpick", among other hurtful tags.

I felt so self consience that I often stayed home instead of joining in with my few real friends when they went to the local pool, school dances, football games or the like. I usually PADDED my clothes...yup you heard right...I would layer on sweat pants under my jeans, 3 or 4 shirts under a sweater, thinking that I wouls look a bit more normal weight and maybe the teasing would stop...it went on through my whole entire school career.

Out of the few friends I had in school, one of them had a brother that I began dating after graduation and we eventually moved in together(that is an awful story in itself that I will NOT go into, just know that we married, divorced, and I am now HAPPILY remarried ;).... (with all the self esteem issues still in tact), I became pregnant with my first son. I LOVED the fact that I gained weight while pregnant although I quickly lost it again.

After giving birth to my second son, I retained a bit of weight, but still saw myself as the 'stick'...I was never truly happy....

up until NOW :)

I have dealt with all of my emotional issues, found love again, remarried a gift from God and have two happy healthy teen boys. After changing careers from a cake designer where I was on my feet ALL the time, to a professional artist/ illustrator where I sit the majority of the time, I gained SO much weight I felt miserable! No energy, poor sleep, AWFUL eating habits, no exercise...miserable.

After finding SP, I have gained a whole new set of skills, a new outlook and a new vision of who I truly am...a beautiful woman with so much to give! I am moving toward getting to a healthier me and am SOOOO much happier than I ever thought I could be!

I NEVER want to be as skinny as I once was, just a healthy weight, and now that I know who I amand where I am going, I know with the Lord's help and SP's program, I am well on my way...

Wishing you love on YOUR journey...

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I love ...LOVE... love to encourage others, so if you'd like to connect with me and have me cheer you on, please let me know in a comment or through Spark Mail and you'll have an instant cheerleader rooting for you 24/7!!

Wishing you a day filled with energy, motivation, inspiration, and FUN!

Happy New Year to you! Brightest blessings for 2011 to be the happiest & healthiest year EVER! I'm so glad that we're SPARK FRIENDS & that we're on this journey to better health & happiness together! Love, Dawn